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Most people know their Sun sign mainly because of popular horoscopes and pop astrology. Fortunately, there is a lot more to astrology than a Sun sign and there are important distinctions to make when you begin to learn more about astrology.

The 3 ”pillars” of a natal chart are the Sun, the Moon and the Rising sign. Your Sun sign might not be the same as your Moon sign or your Rising sign.

If you want to find out more about your birth chart, you can contact me right here or you can head over toastro.com and generate your birth chart for free!

SAGITTARIUS SUN ⊙♐︎

Sagittarius Sun are the embodiment of their high principles; what you see is what you get. They are simultaneously knowledgeable and candid about what they know. You can learn a lot simply by observing their frank and straight forward attitude towards life. They usually have a long list of accomplishments under their belts but you won’t hear them brag as much as their Sagittarius Rising counterparts. These Centaurs are doers and will not tolerate idleness and stagnation for very long. They thrive when learning and they are comfortable when challenged by new experiences. Sun in Sagittarius folks are usually frank but never ill-intentioned in their honesty. They are truth seekers and are interested in the ultimate truth. They succeed where most people have failed thanks to their ability to keep moving. Their essence is composed of a mixture of mastery, optimism and faith.

The Image: A Seeker

MOON IN SAGITTARIUS ☽♐︎

Moon in Sagittarius people are a breed apart. They have a strong need to feel like they have the freedom to come and go as they please although, this might not be totally conscious. These Sagittarians require a lot of space to feel good. If they do not acknowledge their inner wild horses, they could wake up one day overly committed and feeling trapped like a caged animal. It is not so much a fear of commitment, but simply a need to feel the wind on their face and the sense of possibility that come when gazing at the horizon. For the Moon in Sagittarius folks, open spaces are a physiological need. They usually are hopeful and trusting and believe in the goodness of the world. They live to see all their wildest visions realized and fuel their engine on what tomorrow can bring.

The Image: A camp fire under shooting stars

SAGITTARIUS RISING Asc ♐︎

If you know your astrology, then you know that the rising sign is often linked to the physical appearance. Sagittarius Rising have a very high cool factor that comes from a combination of laid back demeanour and general chill vibes. Red-cheeked and sharp-eyed, they usually have a powerful voice and a frank attitude. Their inherent sense of adventure and their candid demeanour gets them places but could also be bothersome to the more conservative types. However, these Centaurs are way to busy chasing down their next ”big idea” to be bothered by what the neighbours might think. Sagittarius rising will say YES easily and that is the secret to many of the blessings bestowed upon them. They have been places in body and mind that many people can’t even imagine. They are imbued with wisdom that comes from experience and are able to convince any die-hard skeptic of their truth.

The Sun is now at 0º Virgo in a conjunction with the fixed star Regulus (The heart of the Lion). This interesting part of the zodiac is often associated with The Sphinx; the meeting of the lion with the maiden.

We are on the other side of the much-anticipated and powerful Solar Eclipse/New Moon at 28º Leo. It will take a few weeks before we assimilate and understand what this means for us on a personal scale but also for the world we live in.

We are being pushed towards bold new beginnings but with Mercury retrograde in Virgo until September 5th our ambitious goals will need careful and deliberate planning. With the Sun in Virgo for the next month, we must bow down to the earth and the natural rhythms of nature. A shift has occurred but it will take time before it becomes visible and we must tend to the ordinary in order to bring about the extraordinary.

Mercury goes direct on September 5th at 28º of Leo; the degree of the Solar Eclipse/New Moon in Leo. By then, we should gain greater clarity and have a pretty good idea of where we are heading.

Small minds are concerned with the extraordinary, great minds with the ordinary-Blaise Pascal

☿

Mercury retrograde always brings some form of revision either willingly or imposed on us by unforeseen circumstances. There is no reason to hop on the Mercury-Retro-Freak-Out-Train as this occurs approximately 3 times a year.

Mercury will be retrograde in the sign of Virgo and then Leo from August 12th to September 5th, 2017.

One of the striking aspect of this particular retrograde is the Mercury/Neptune opposition mere days before the beginning of the retrograde.

This means that the week leading up to the retrograde is somewhat foggy or tinted by wishful thinking and clarity is already lost. There could be confusion between facts and fiction. It could be that a situation is not seen for what it is and we are getting lost in glamorous thinking. Venus is also trine to Neptune and the Sun is in Leo after all!

Mercury/Neptune is not a terrible aspect in itself but decision making might not be anchored in reality. If you know this already, work it to your advantage and take into account that your perception will shift considerably by the time this retrograde is all said and done.

The Full Moon in Aquarius on August 7th was the first of 2 Eclipses happening this month and this also has to be taken into account. The liminal space between Eclipses can be thought of as a transitional period. Often the time surrounding Eclipses bring unforeseen circumstances which shake the foundations in our lives. Events pushes us to take a leap of faith or break with the old ways. Sometimes these events are forced upon us and the path we were until then walking on vanishes aligning us on a totally new and unforeseen trajectory.

Mercury retrogrades are best spent re-evaluating, sorting out, and revising what is already in place. Mercury retrogrades are not so great for launching major new projects and ideas. Since this retrograde begins in the Mercury ruled sign of Virgo, there is no better time to get down to the nitty-gritty details of your life and put them in order. Mercury will retrograde back into the sign of Leo on August 31st. The subject of self-esteem, pride, the desire for recognition, following one’s heart, dreams and passions will all be added to the mix.

*If the eclipses are already bringing major changes in your life, embrace them and apply a good strategy to insure your success.

Here are a few more tips to help you navigate the upcoming retrograde in Virgo & Leo:

☿-Don’t sweat the small stuff: Virgos can be hyper critical and self-loathing since they have such unreachable high standards for themselves. Give yourself a break and pay attention to your internal dialogues; keep it positive and guilt free.

☿-Sweat the small stuff: Mercury retrograde in Virgo is a great time to revise and organize. A great time to tackle all the menial jobs that you have been putting off. Paper work, writing, editing and organizing could really put you ahead of the game. Re-evaluate the processes in your life and find solutions that will help you be more efficient.

☿-Find activities that help alleviate anxiety: Over-thinking and the endless quest for perfection is a modern diseases. Step-away from it all with activities that help you disconnect from the over-achieving mind. Go pet a goat.

☿-Find healing

☿-Be easy on yourself: You are where you are suppose to be. Trust the process.

☿-Get in touch with your procrastination: The more you put things off the tighter the grip will get. Maybe your to-do list is to big? What can you do to alleviate the pressure?

☿-With Mercury going back into the sign of Leo, issues of pride and self-esteem could come up. Following our heart is always a work in progress. Practice asking for what you need directly and without shame. Allow your heart’s desires to express themselves in a healthy way.

☿-Understand that success is a state of mind.

☿-Do not let your pride get in the way of the hard work needed to succeed.

☿-If you know your chart, look at where Virgo and Pisces are located. Do you have important planets or is your Ascendant in Virgo or Pisces? Perhaps some organizing is called for in those areas of your life.

☿-Since this Mercury retrograde is weaved in with the 2 eclipses in August, look at where Leo and Aquarius fall in your chart. Do you have any important planets or is your Ascendant either in Leo or Aquarius? Events surrounding the next two months will bring opportunities to break away from an old way of being. This could be subtle or dramatic depending on your natal dispositons.

Jack Kerouac (Virgo rising and Moon in Virgo)on Self-Loathing

“The rucksack sits hopefully in a strewn mess of bottles all empty, empty poorboys of white port, butts, junk, horror … ‘One fast move or I’m gone,’ I realize, gone the way of the last three years of drunken hopelessness which is a physical and spiritual and metaphysical hopelessness you can’t learn in school no matter how many books on existentialism or pessimism you read, or how many jugs of vision-producing Ayahuasca you drink, or Mescaline take, or Peyote goop up with – that feeling when you wake up with the delirium tremens, with the fear of eerie death dripping from your ears like those special heavy cobwebs spiders weave in the hot countries, the feeling of being a bentback mudman monster groaning underground in hot steaming mud pulling a long hot burden nowhere, the feeling of standing ankle deep in hot boiled pork blood, ugh, of being up to your waist in a giant pan of greasy brown dishwater not a trace of suds left in it – the face of yourself you see in the mirror with its expression of unbearable anguish so haggard and awful with sorrow you can’t even cry for a thing so ugly, so lost, no connection whatever with early perfection, and therefore nothing to connect with tears or anything.”

Sun sign horoscopes cannot replace a proper analysis of your birth chart and transits of the moment. They are meant as a broad insight into certain time signatures. If you want a more detailed forecast, you can book a reading with Elodiehere. You can also subscribe to the 9th House monthly horoscopes here.

“In those days I coerced oracular assurance In my favour out of every sign.” ― Ted Hughes

PISCES/PISCES RISING ♓︎

The changing tides are sweeping through your life and March could make you feel like re-evaluating your allegiances. There are a lot of questions in the air at the moment and you might be wondering about your next step – which is closely linked to your partnerships. Relationships will be a big theme this month for everyone. You are caught between your own needs and the difficult requirements of a relationship, either personal or professional. A tension that has been building for the last several months is ready to be addressed. This could be related to your investments versus the investments of someone else and you could be struggling to find the middle ground. A good dose of pragmatism coupled with a trust in the unfolding process is required. Find inspiration in your current limitations and you will be pleasantly surprised at what you are able to come up with. Pisceans are endowed with the ability to see a kingdom in a grain of sand. There is no reason to let cynicism swallow the part of you that believes in the inherent goodness of others. The Sun in Pisces until March 20 will illuminate your inner landscape allowing you to assess where you are in relation to where you would like to be. Take advantage of this light to clarify what is obscured and to reconnect with your sense of vitality, power, and authority.

ARIES/ARIES RISING ♈︎

Venus goes retrograde in the middle of your sign this month. On March 4, the planet we most often connect with beauty, relationships, attraction, money, and values is moving backward. There is no reasons to panic. First of all, Venus only appears to be moving backward from our perspective here on Earth. Venus turns retrograde approximately every 18 months in various signs of the Zodiac. Last time she/he did her little retro dance in your sign was in 2009. If you want to have some insights as to what this retrograde could mean for you, think back to March and April of 2009. Is there anything significant that was happening then in regard to relationships, love, art, money or beauty? In other news, the Sun moves into your sign on March 20. Until then, spend some time integrating the lessons of the last year. Clean out your mental and physical closet and if you can, spend some time assessing your achievements. You could be feeling extra slow or lacking energy in the first part of the month so do not push yourself to climb mountains unless you really have to. Collaborations and partnerships with others could feel extra tedious but also extremely rewarding so use patience and understanding to get what you want.

TAURUS/TAURUS RISING ♉︎

A lot of good things can come out of our limitations and life’s minor annoyances often serve to lead us toward what we need. Often this process happens without our awareness and it’s only looking back that we understand the valuable lessons hidden in our troubles. March could be one of those months where you have little patience for the road blocks and curve balls thrown your way. You might find it harder than usual to stay cool-headed and you will have to work extra hard to stay tolerant. This could be a valuable lesson especially in regard to understanding your own process when it comes to what drives you. Passion and anger are two sides of the same coin and one cannot exist without the other. What fuels you can also destroy you and that is where the secret of your struggle lies this month. Your dreams could collide against a need for pragmatism and some sacrifice will need to be made. It is not enough to work day and night to achieve our goals; keeping a sense of perspective and even slowing down will allow for the quality you so desire and are known for. Your inherent appreciations for things well made does not mix well with deadlines and stress. Remember this when you rush to get everything accomplished this month.

GEMINI/GEMINI RISING ♊︎

It looks like all of your inspiration this month will come from your wider social circle. You could feel imbued with a new sense of optimism in regard to your calling and ready to put the efforts needed to succeed. March could be a busy month at work and there could be a bit of tension in your personal life as a result of this. The Full Moon in Virgo on March 12 could bring matters to a head on the home front and you might have to deal with some unpleasant responsibilities there. March is a good month for socializing even though some unresolved tensions keep threatening your peace. The support you need continues to be available if you want it but the help won’t come on its own; you will have to ask for it. There could be an old acquaintance coming back into your life or you could find yourself going back in time to a place you used to hang out. Either way, expect a surprising blast from the past to come and haunt you. There is a good mix of ambition and creativity available to you this month so don’t squander it on trivial arguments and let sleeping dogs lie. You do not want to waste all of your precious energy on things that do not really matter. Keep your goal in your mind’s eye and monopolize on the opportunities which are knocking at your door.

CANCER/CANCER RISING ♋︎

Your intuition reached new levels in the last few months and you have been able to tap into a fantastic reservoir of insights. This is serving you well and you can apply your findings onto innovative projects. The only down side of being finely in touch with the rhythm of nature is that you can’t tune out and disconnect. Your level of receptivity is such at the moment that you can easily tap into the collective cloud. However, sorting out which transmissions are meant for you and which ones should be left alone is not easy. The problem with receiving a bunch of confusing signals is knowing how to process them consciously so they do not undermine you. The receptivity is also making you more susceptible to toxic people and negative influences. This month, practice intuition hygiene and make space for the essential. Learn to filter out the messages you receive so that it doesn’t sap all of your vitality. Choose wisely what you want to let in. There is a fine balance between receptivity and absorption, between using your intuition for creative purposes versus swimming in the quagmire. Being inspired doesn’t have to be a burden; you can be creative and have boundaries: revise them. Spend time attending to the leaks and protect your mind from unwanted signals and pay attention as to where you are investing your time and energy.

LEO/LEO RISING ♌︎

The Full Moon in Virgo on March 12 will highlight your spending habits and how you have managed your assets so far this year. Pleasure and indulgence are a marvellous thing and life wouldn’t be the same without the ability to spoil ourselves. However, you are on creative duty and you must stay focused on the task at hand. Make sure you do not celebrate your victory prematurely. You need to find the discipline to see a project to the end before opening the champagne bottle. There might also be some confusion in regards to shared assets or a debt and that will need to be dealt with. Clear out the fog in the first part of the month, if possible. Budgeting and organising your expenses will definitely pay off so make time to do it. In the second part of the month your attention could turn towards learning and expanding your horizon. You might have opportunities to step out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. This could come through a relationship and literally be opening a whole new space for you to explore. You could also be craving more freedom and this is closely linked to your ability to generate creative ideas. You might need more space in order to create more or it might be that you need to step out of your routine to find some inspiration. Gathering the right amount of discipline to attend to your responsibilities while also fulfilling your need for something different will be a work in progress this month.

VIRGO/VIRGO RISING ♍︎

There was an important New Moon and Solar eclipse in Pisces at the end of February. This eclipse was the last one in a series on the Virgo/Pisces axis that started 18 months ago. You can probably feel that a long process that’s been happening for a year and a half is finally coming to an end. It is very likely that you are starting to see the seeds that were planted in new soil taking root. Something completely new is sprouting on the horizon. On March 12, the Full Moon will be in your sign and will illuminate the path ahead and perhaps some potential road-blocks that could arise. Important decisions will need to be made if you want to give shape to an idea or a project. Dreams and reality will need to be mixed in equal parts. You are endowed with both pragmatism and imagination right now so I would definitely take advantage of this time period to materialize an ambitious idea. However, you have to be ready to put in hours required and work hard to get where you want to be. Whether you are getting the support you need from your associations depends greatly on you; ask for help if you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list. Seek the allies that can help you move ahead with your vision.

LIBRA/LIBRA RISING ♎︎

A process of redefining what love and beauty means to you will soon to be underway. Your relationship to Venus is about to undergo a transformation and there are a few things you can do to prepare. First of all, assess the relationship terrain you are walking on: is it solid? If you were given permission to re-design how you experience love and beauty in your life, what would be the first thing to go? What would be the first thing to stay? What do your relationships say about your self-worth? What does beauty mean to you? Is your self-worth connected to your image in any ways? Start sorting out the assumptions you have carried about what love means to you and see if something is ready to be let go. Be aware of any degrading or damaging ideas that keep you stuck in old and out dated patterns. I would suggest that you assess the type of people you surround yourself with and what that says about you. What are you compromising to keep the peace in some of your relationships? Is it worth it? What sacrifice are you absolutely not willing to make anymore and are you ready to let it go? Your scales will oscillate between commitment and independence in the next few months – be ready.

SCORPIO/SCORPIO RISING ♏︎

In light of recent events you could spend the next several months shedding old misconceptions you have about partnerships. You are being fully supported even though it might feel like a difficult process. It’s pretty simple: the more you resist the flow, the more you will swim against the current. There could be a bit of confusion around a romantic or professional situation and it could be difficult for you to think clearly about it especially in the first part of the month. Everything comes at a cost, whether you are willing to pay the price or not is another story and you will have to think hard about that. A new awareness is emerging in your life and your priorities are slowly shifting. What used to be important might not be as relevant now but old habits die hard. It might take a while before you are able to fully implement some new elements into your routine. There are a lot of transitional dynamics for everyone at the moment. One way you can ensure your success through this period is by staying flexible. Keep your goal in mind while being receptive to the opportunities that present themselves. Nothing is written in stone and you can definitely work this to your advantage.

SAGITTARIUS/SAGITTARIUS RISING ♐︎

Until very recently, you had the patience and the time to dedicate to your various collaborations and partnerships. However, you are arriving at the end of your rope in regards to how much you are willing to endure. There are many good things coming out of your associations these days but you are itching to have more freedom to say and do as you please. You can do this in a diplomatic way without ruffling any feathers but you will need all the honey you can find. You also know that you can’t totally walk away from your partnerships because they are bringing you a lot of benefits and you don’t want to lose them. The big riddle on the horizon for you has to do with finding a way to work with others that doesn’t make you feel stifled. A process of revision is beginning and a lot of it will have to do with your various commitments. Sorting out which ones are still benefiting you and which ones have to go may take some time, but it has to happen. The dissatisfaction you feel could be coming from the fact that you are compromising too much. You might have been eager to take on the work load a year ago but you are starting to realize how limiting this is for your well-being. Start thinking about ways you could lighten your load by delegating some of your responsibilities. You might not get instant results but getting the ball rolling is a good start.

CAPRICORN/CAPRICORN RISING ♑︎

Your boundaries are currently being redefined to include a broader territory. What you thought was set in stone might not be after all and you are being taken out of your comfort zone. Of course the new discoveries you are making were initiated by you but they are now taking a life of their own and you must learn to improvise around them. You might also have to contend with limitations that were impose on you by someone else. The easiest route would be to go along with what is presented to you at this time but that option might not sit well with you. There is just the right amount of tension in your life right now to allow rapid transformations. You can use your current situation as a stepping stone but you must remain flexible creatively. You need the right amount of effort and faith in this unfolding process for you to reach your desired goals. Knowing exactly where to cast and having the right amount of patience is what gets you the fish. However, if you reel in too quickly after you catch it, the line can easily break due to the vitality and strength of the fish. You must tire him out first and that takes a lot of patience. Be alert and ready to seise the opportunities at this time but be willing also to wait until the perfect occasion presents itself.

AQUARIUS/AQUARIUS RISING ♒︎

Most of the opportunities presented to you at this time are coming from your networking abilities. This is definitely a period of expansion and you are broadening your scope of influence through your associations. Now that the pieces are in place, the section of the puzzle you will have to resolve is linked to your resources. You have many excellent ideas and you need to convince the world to support them. It won’t be enough to rely solely on your assets and you might need to start looking for funding options available. There could be some new opportunities coming your way that could increase your income so keep yourself available. Time management will be another big thing to keep in mind if you want to get everything done within the deadlines. If you can let go of minor distractions and focus on the work at hand you should be able to accomplish a lot this month. Keep your energy for what is essential and do not squander your precious resources on a project or idea you know won’t yield much. Focus on what’s essential and what you absolutely need to deal with, the rest will fall into place especially of you learn to delegate a bit more: find your allies.

The Sun is in Pisces conjunct the Tail of the Dragon and the Moon is in the sign of Capricorn. We might be revisiting time-tested ideas that prove to be better than their modern versions. Something from the past could come back for revision or be revived. We could also find ourselves appreciating the craftsmanship of our ancestors and be inspired by the quality of objects from the past.

With the Moon in Capricorn, it’s a good day to get work done and find some discipline. Since the Sun in Pisces and Neptune will receive a sextile from the Moon in Capricorn, work that requires a certain amount of creativity and inspiration should benefit.

“Aberrations of the human mind are to a large extent due to the obsessional pursuit of some part-truth, treated as if it were a whole truth.”
― Arthur Koestler

♏︎ ♒︎

The Moon will be making an interesting sequence of aspects in the next few days which is worth breaking down.

Thursday, the Moon enters the sign of Scorpio and almost immediately will trine the South Node of the Moon in Pisces. This could be thought of as getting a glimpse of the past, something hidden in the deep end resurfacing or finding ourselves obsessing over a memory we thought was buried forever.

*Since we are between eclipses (the next one being on February 26) a more intense dream life is possible and revelations could come during your sleep.

The Moon in Scorpio will then trine Neptune in Pisces late Thursday night/early Friday morning. We can imagine this aspect as swimming through an underwater tunnel and coming across a sea monster and having to find the courage to get past a deep instinctual fear in order to swim through. There is a fine line between trusting our intuition and being carried away by delusional or irrational fears. Since the Moon in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces are both Water signs, things could escape our conscious awareness as we are led by involuntary or visceral undercurrents. Do not get discouraged by things which are outside your control: work with what you have.

Friday morning or afternoon (depending where you live) the Moon in Scorpio will square Mercury in Aquarius while Mercury square Mars in Aries (ruler of the Moon in Scorpio) and briefly after that, the Moon will sextile Pluto in Capricorn before going void of course.

How we handle information and how we decide to communicate what we know could be challenged in some ways. How information is used to manipulate will be more obvious than usual and it could be a good time to assess what we let in and how we use it. Getting to the bottom of something in order to have more control over it can be a positive thing as long as we are clear about the specific motivations behind our actions. There could be an obsession around truth and technology which somehow lies beyond our immediate comprehension. The relationship between information and power is sure to be highlighted. These aspects could bring forth surprising tactics used through technology in order to control and dominate. Pay attention to what arises as we are heading towards dynamic astrological aspects in the last 10 days of February.

This tension could challenge us to think outside of our comfort zone in order to come up with innovative ideas that will help us move forward.

AQUARIUS 29

The sound of dripping water echoes through a great stone room. The most unusual and distinctive of inward conditions. You are held within a mode of awareness that is from another time and place altogether. You have nothing to say and nothing to do. There is no power of individual life-force. Instead you see as the ancient ones see. Utter unworldliness to a point of dissociation from surface experience. A part of the mind transported by a reverie of timeless, effortless realization. Everything is clear. The subtlest, most refined things are obvious. It is all a matter of perspective, and here the perspective is that the only thing that matters is how the inward resonant echo registers and where it leads you in choiceless awareness, in communion with the Gods.

“The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.”-Khalil Gibran

Mercury Guardian of Thresholds
A liminal deity is a god or goddess who presides over thresholds, gates, or doorways; a crosser of boundaries. In roman mythology Mercury is the messenger of the gods and guide of the dead or psychopomp. His Greek equivalent is Hermes who is associated with omens, roads, travellers, border crossings, thievery and merchants. Dual in nature, he is the eternal youth, puer aeternus and the old man senex messenger to the dead. [1] The patron and benefactor of highway bandits, thieves, rogues and liars. He is jester, trickster and magician. He mediates between waking and dreaming, between the underworld and the world of mortals – bringing fateful tidings.

Think twice before you speakThe modern pop-culture interpretation of Mercury retrograde is often one of doom and gloom where anything that goes wrong is blamed on Mercury. Missed connections, delays in travels, breakdown of electronic, mis-communication and objects disappearing are amongst the plethora of beliefs associated with its retrograde. While this is partially true, it is a generalisation that has become the norm. We need to look beyond these minor annoyance to understand where and how the trickster might be playing with us. Studying the sign in which the retrograde will take place helps us diagnose the ways in which a particular Mercury retrograde will manifest.

Mercury Retrograde in VirgoMercury in the sign of Virgo is associated with good judgment, intellectual ingenuity, flexibility and the overall ability to analyse and implement things in a practical way. It brings order to chaos by sorting details and making it into a coherent system. Taking to the extreme, Mercury in Virgo becomes, hyper-critical, obsessive-compulsive and nit-picky loosing itself in trivial details. Mercury in Virgo finds its exaltation here and holds rulership by sign which means it is essentially dignified. He also has rulership by face on the last 10 degrees of Virgo (21º-30º) where he will spend a good part of this retrograde. (The retrograde takes place between 14 and 29 degrees of Virgo) Assessing strength and dignity is an important part of analysing how a planet will perform in each sign. Since Mercury in Virgo finds itself in essential dignity and ruling over the last 10º degrees of Virgo the adverse effect of the usual retrograde might be tempered by the fact that Mercury is quite potent here. Without overriding completely the circumstances that a retrograde can cast we might be able to use this time to our advantage.

‘Totally Intent Upon Completing An Immediate Task, A Man Is Deaf To Any Allurement”Sabian Symbol for 29-30º of Virgo

When wick and oil are cleanA good rule of thumb during a Mercury retrograde is to practice your ”RE”:revise, re-organize, re-tool, re-group, re-think et cetera. Sure it might be more difficult than usual to initiate new projects and travel from point A to point B during a retrograde. But Mercury retrograde in Virgo is a fantastic time to get your various project and ideas in order. Greasing the engine, polishing the silver, cleansing the systems. A good part of the month could be spent analysing what we are doing. Are we being efficient with our attention or are we wasting time focusing on the wrong things? If you do something “right,” but it’s the wrong thing to do, your efforts will be futile. If you do the “right thing,” but you do it wrong, you’ll also fail miserably.

Thoughts could seem very black and white well into September with the Saturn/Neptune square in the background. With Mercury retrograde in Virgo adding to the noise we could feel overwhelmed by responsibilities one moment and extremely focused on our work the next. Do not overload your plate at the risk of driving yourself crazy. But do not abandon your ship either. Rest your nerves when you can and focus on one task at a time. See the process for what it is and listen for the cues. Your attention is currency. Spend it wisely.

“There is nothing quite so useless,
as doing with great efficiency,
something that should not be done at all.” ― Peter F. Drucker

Overview of the Mercury Retrograde in September

August 30 2016: Mercury station retrograde at 29º04′ Virgo at 9:04am (EDT)

September 1, 2016:
New Moon/Solar Eclipse at 9º21′ Virgo at 5:04am (EDT)

The potential of Ordinariness
The eclipse happens two days after Mercury begins its retrograde. Mercury is the guardian of this New Moon and Solar Eclipse. The fact that Mercury is moving backward is significant. It could be that the events and realisation surrounding this eclipse will be implemented much later into the Fall. A New Moon is a seeding time. A New Moon in Virgo is a good time to set intents around the logistics and systems in our lives and the various process that helps us be efficient. A New Moon in an Earth sign is asking for tangible and realistic goals.

A New Moon AND Solar Eclipse is a powerful reset. If you are born with personal planets between 4 and 14 degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) this New Moon and eclipse could impact you more strongly. If you have invested your time and energy wisely, this period could open new doors, bring unforseen opportunities, new beginnings or a confirmation that you are on the right path. There could be a tendency to take on a big work load. Discard the superfluous from the essential and divide your time accordingly. As usual with this much Virgo in the sky the feelings of anxiety and inadequacy could creep up. Discard guilty and damaging self-talk, plant the proper thoughts and be present.

September 2, 2016:
Mercury conjunct Jupiter at 28º04′ Virgo

Small Pot – Stunted Roots
Jupiter is finishing up a 1 year stay in Virgo and is preparing to move into the sign of Libra on September 9. Realisation around the way we have restrained our growth could surface. If we have spent too much of our attention finicking over things that stunt our progress it becomes obvious. Anything limiting could surface. Conversely if we have overlooked some important details now is a good time to go over them. Since Jupiter is closely linked to beliefs, spend time reflecting on where and in what you have put your faith. Is it sill relevant for you at this point? Can you see how your beliefs shape your life for the better or for worst? Where is it leading you? On a positive note, there could be some revelations and opportunities that help you see the path ahead.

The Heart’s ChambersThe sequence of aspects on Monday September 12 are very dynamic. First Mercury square Mars in the sign of the fiery archer. This can bring a variety of side effects including more unpleasant ones. There could be volatility in communications and impulsive missives fired. Strong opinions and even zealousness about ones beliefs and firmly held opinions will be flying left and right. A sense of righteousness permeates the day and this can play out on various stages in our lives including our personal relationships. The truth is trying to surface. With Jupiter at 0 degree of Libra and ruling over Mars in Sagittarius, a compromising and diplomatic approach is favoured over impulsiveness.

After its dynamic encounter with Mars in Sagittarius, Mercury conjunct the Sun in Virgo and sits in the Solar throne. A moment of clarity and perhaps something that had remained hidden from sight is revealed. A door opens briefly and we get a glimpse, a clue, an indication of things to come. Take note.

The Moon will be in Capricorn and Aquarius on September 12 which are both ruled by Saturn. This weaves in the bigger themes of the Saturn/Neptune square that perfects two days prior. We are confronted by our responsibilities vs the cherished ideals that fuel our imagination. What must be done versus how we wish it could be. The well of dreams where our eternal child quenches his thirst versus the reality and limitations of the material world.

Science and Truth are simple phenomenon of nature, but it is the known that is preventing us from mastering the unknown.
-Chandrakanth Natekar

September 16, 2016:Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse at 24º20′ Pisces at 3:05pm (EDT)
The seeds planted at the beginning of the month culminates with the Full Moon in Pisces. Old stories lose their hold and the whispers of the past fade into the void. Don’t be lured back by the haunting calls of the sirens. Short-term gains or pleasure must be weighed carefully against the long-term ones. Bound yourself to the mast of your boat while the Moon passes in the earth’s shadow and looses her light. An era is definitely over and you get the confirmation if you can stand the darkness for a brief moment. If you have personal planets in the last 10 degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) this Full Moon will affect you more significantly.

September 20, 2016:
Mercury in Virgo trine Pluto at 14º56′ Capricorn

Secrets Revealed
Integrity and honesty will be wonderful allies for the duration of this Mercury retrograde. Avoidance will bring more trouble than necessary. Honesty begins with oneself and than moves outward into the world. Being true to our convictions can be trying especially when we juggle conflicting beliefs or ideas. We can now see clearly the strict or severe frameworks in which we have been operating. Being at the mercy of conditioning and programming is no longer viable although we need these systems. The truth emerges with its fair share of readjustments.

September 22, 2016:Fall EquinoxMoon in Gemini square Mercury in Virgo
Mercury station direct at 14º49 Virgo at 1:30 am (EDT)

The Harvest
Mercury station direct on the Fall Equinox with the Moon in Gemini square to Mercury in Virgo. Trying circumstances will abound and applying the lessons of the retrograde might not be that easy. Multiple voices will be shouting for our attention and separating the wheat from the chaff will be an ongoing process.

The Oracle

Mercury station retrograde at 29º of Virgo on August 30th 2016.
You can interpret this Chandra Symbol freely.

Virgo 29*: A witch preparing magic mushrooms

Within the delicate, formative stages of major departures into the unknown, there is encountered an extraordinary task and lesson that detains you a long while. It becomes self-evident that it is everything that comes before that makes the difference. There must be a fully attuned, magical sensibility to make the future possible. Coming to this requires arduous discipline, elaborate ritual and internal initiation. This becomes such a labyrinth of discipleship and apprenticeship that you wander through the maze discovering everything you ever needed to know. All is played out within. There is no need to make anything happen on the outer. You are assigned to empty yourself out, to strip everything away, to become invisible. And if you excel at your craft, so many ventures and initiatives will be seeded, that this inner planes total mobilization will prove to be more fruitful and productive than any premature thrusts of outer mind, no matter how impressive or seemingly necessary. The entire path lies well within, and needs no surface success to substantiate itself.

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*For the Chandra degree, I used the 29º instead of 30º my logic being that Mercury is moving backward.

[1] Dig deeper into Mercury (Hermes) with Dr Z

[2] The Liminality of Hermes and the Meaning of Hermeneutics by Richard E. Palmer

Who are the happiest people on earth? A craftsman or artist whistling over a job well done. A little child building sand castles. A mother, after a busy day, bathing her baby. A doctor who has finished a difficult and dangerous operation, and saved a human life. Happiness lies in a constructive job well done. Get your happiness out of your work or you will never know what happiness is. -Elbert Hubbard

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There are a few different ways in which the astrology will reveal itself to us this week. The mind will turn its focus to the practicalities and logistics of our lives. Attention to the necessities and demands of our obligations and the need to face responsibilities head-on will have a sobering effect. This thorough assessment of what we are doing with our time and where we want to invest our efforts is an essential process and doesn’t have to be daunting. There could also be a need to purge and simplify what has become cluttered whether it’s the body, the mind, a physical space or a project. Keep it simple at the risk of loosing your footing.

The hard and the soft collide while we juggle the many projects and never-ending to-do-list. We might be dreaming of a wireless-free space where we can regroup our thoughts, but the buzzing might actually be coming from the multitude of ideas and voices generated within our own mind. This is not a totally negative influence and much can be accomplished if we tame these monkeys into performing their designated routines.

The temptation will be to multi-task but simplifying and finding a structured way to divide our time could help productivity. This is a great week to get things done but there might also be a tendency to saturate the mind. Filtering the essential from the trivial and staying away from fear, guilt and worry will be half the battle. Resist the urge to backtrack into unsuitable scenarios and keep moving forward.

MAJOR ASTROLOGICAL ASPECTS FOR THIS WEEK

Mercury in Virgo conjoins the North Node of the Moon on August 8th which will amplify Mercury’s qualities for better or for worst. Since Mercury is considered strong in the sign of Virgo this remains a great time to carry out projects connected to writing, editing or any work that requires focus and analysis. Some new information, ideas or methods could come to light and help you move forward. If not well utilised, this period could be marked by anxiety exaggerated expectations and or disenchantment.

The First Quarter Moon on August 10th is in the sign of Scorpio fuelling the will and prompting us into action. Since both the Sun and the Moon will be in Fixed signs, there could be a tendency for obstinacy and inflexibility.

Saturn goes direct in the early hours of August 13 while in a square from Venus in Virgo. The next few weeks could be characterised by the cementing of relationships and alliances or it could bring the sobering realisations of unsuitable situations or partnerships and their ensuing difficult disintegration.We will start to see the result of our efforts and the dissolution of some cherished misconceptions. Although this retrograde has been a challenging process the changes will bring growth that will require considerable readjustments in the next few months.

Venus enters Scorpio the sign of her detriment just in time for some potentially difficult planetary weather. The Moon will be in Libra all weekend ruled by Venus in Scorpio. Mars @ 14º Libra will perfect a square to Pluto in Capricorn on Sunday while being in mutual reception with Venus in Scorpio.

*It’s interesting to note that Mars is the traditional ruler of Scorpio while Pluto is the modern ruler. They will square each other while co-ruling Venus. A square or 90º angle between planets is associated with tension that stimulate action.

Putting the technical lingo aside, the next few days promises to be anything but calm. Unstable relationships or anything that was put on the back burner especially in regards to partnership could be where the action takes place. The diplomatic effort could very well crumble if the desire for power and assertion is not seriously kept in check. This can happen on the world stage as much as in our personal lives.

At its best, these planetary alignments can bring to the surface information that remained in the shadows until now. There could be a pressing need to transform a stagnating scenario or get to the heart of the matter with someone. Both the Moon in Libra and Venus in Scorpio want to relate. Venus being the intelligent use of charm, she helps us refine and bring harmony to the rough and crude aspects of ourselves. When Venus spends time in Scorpio, the hunger to fulfill our needs can take precedence over peace and harmony. We could be throwing out the more superficial approach when interacting with others in favor of satisfying a need for closeness, fusion and truth.

Of course, when we try to push our agenda on others forcefully, we almost always meet resistance. It might be difficult to see the manipulative tactics we or other employ since the sign of Scorpio rules unconscious urges and desires.

If anything, remember to keep it cool in the next few days. Sunday December 6th will be the exact square of Mars and Pluto but we could see its repercussion well into the week. This is a brief but intense period and flexibility will be your best asset. Keep in mind that further analysis of your birth chart and where these planets are transiting will determine where the action is taking place in your life.

Venus enters Scorpio December 4th @ 11:15PM EST and will be in Scorpio until December 30th The Moon moves in the sign of Libra December 4th @ 5:34PM EST Mars @ 14º Libra square Pluto @ 14º Capricorn December 6th @ 3:52PM EST